I saw an interview of Nicki Minaj few weeks ago, where she talked about her early days in the music industry (if you knew her then, you’d know how she looked); she said she went to fix herself because of how Lil Wayne and co used to “playfully” and “jokingly” tell her about her body.

Sometimes, they would laugh about it.

She said they would talk about how ladies in hip-hop usually have big buttucks and breasts, and how their appearance was part of their brands.

They didn’t take it seriously, they were “just observing and thinking out loud”, I presume; but they did not know what it did to her.

She took it very seriously, used to think deeply about it, and eventually decided to fix her body.

Please note: this didn’t make her hate them, but it made her to make a life-changing decision.

I am not saying she regrets what she did, neither am I saying she does not – I don’t know.

But I am pointing out the fact that our comments on people’s body can be very powerful that they get to them terribly.

Body shaming comes in different ways and styles; some of you still body shame, but you think it is funny or not a big deal.

It is a big deal!

Sometimes we body shame without realizing it.

Some comments about a person’s body could be inappropriate, while some are outrightly negative and derogatory.

Some people are very sensitive, some other people may take it more seriously than you think you know.

There are things you should never say to people; there are things that can’t be changed easily or at all.

Stop subtly telling people that they are too short, too fair, too fat, too tall, not dark, etc.

This messes with people’s self-esteem in different ways and degrees.

A person likes you, and you don’t like them back; but all you can say is: “You are too short for my liking.”

If you don’t like him the way he is, let him go; stop making him feel like he is not good enough.

If she is not the way you want your “ideal” woman or friend to be, move on without making feel bad about herself.

“You would be cuter if you were a bit shorter.”

“Your stomach is too big, as if you are always pregnant .”

“Your head is too big, don’t you eat well?”

“What kind of face is this, is this one a human being?”

And many others.

These and many other comments are very unnecessary and offensive.

Be empathetic and sensitive.

It is okay to describe a person as they are, it is okay to politely give advice or information that could help a person get better and healthy; but it is not okay to seriously, “jokingly”, or “playfully” make a negative, derogatory, or inappropriate remark about a person.

Sometimes we do these innocently, but they (these remarks) are dangerous to the person.

It always leaves an impression.

Even when a person tells you they are used to it, it is not cool!

We can do better.

I hope you understand.